What Is Spina Bifida
Georgia Pediatric Program
Spina bifida is a congenital condition in which the spine and spinal cord do not fully develop, leading to varying levels of nerve damage and physical challenges, including partial or complete leg paralysis, muscle weakness, mobility limitations, bladder or bowel dysfunction, and complications such as hydrocephalus and skin breakdown. Children with spina bifida often require support with daily activities such as transferring, bathing, dressing, managing catheters or bowel programs, and using mobility or positioning equipment, along with ongoing physical, occupational, and sometimes speech therapy to promote functional independence. Programs like GAPP (Georgia Pediatric Program) provide essential in-home skilled nursing services at no cost to families, offering individualized medical care, mobility assistance, daily living support, and help with therapy routines, ensuring that children with spina bifida can thrive safely and comfortably in their homes and communities.
The In-Home Skilled Nursing Program is designed to serve eligible members based on a medical necessity determination for children under the age of 20 years 11 months. We are here to make an even better environment for you and your child to ensure that they receive the supports that they need.
Free In Home Care – for Children and Young Adults Under 21.
Is your child under 21? Does your Child need help with everyday living Activities I.E. Feeding assistance, Incontinence care, transfer Assistance, bathing, etc.? Does your Child have Medicaid? If so, then your Child may qualify for free in home Care services.
In-Home Program
The Georgia Pediatric In-Home Nursing Program services medically fragile children, under 21 years of age. Children must require skilled nursing care and currently be receiving physician-ordered services to be considered eligible for this program.
Medicaid & Katie Beckett
GAPP Services comes at NO COST to members of Medicaid or Katie Beckett. The Katie Beckett Waiver takes the parent’s income out of the picture and bases the decision on the child’s needs.
Free Skilled Nursing Care For Medically Fragile Children
These are services offered by GAPP for children or young adults in need of in-home care:
Unskilled Support Services
- Medication Administration
- Hygiene
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Take Vital Signs
- Wheelchair assistance
- Collect Treatment Plan Information
- Turn or Reposition assistance
- Change Sheets & Bed Linens
- Observation
- Communicate issues to Nurse or Doctor
- Assistance with Daily Living Activities
- Trach Care (including changing & cleaning)
- Gastrostomy Tube Care (Including Tube Feeding, Cleaning, Changing)
- Bagging via Trach or Mouth
- Respiratory Treatment
- Suctioning
Skilled Nursing Services
- CVL
- TPN
- CPAP
- BIPAP
- Ventiltor Dependent
- Neurological Disorders
- Trach Dependent
- G-Tube Dependent
- Oxygen Dependent
- Colostomy & Ileostomy
- Seizure Disorder
- Paralysis
No Wait List
- This program is not a waiver service, which will allow your child to receive services immediately following service approval.
- Intake and evaluation typically takes up to 30 days for service approval.
- Parents are involved with the development of their child’s service plan of treatment along with any service goals.